Abstract: From the perspective of network embeddedness, this paper makes a systematic analysis on the role of middle managers in enterprise innovation, and examines the influence of middle managers' role behaviors on enterprise innovation performance using questionnaire data. The result shows that middle managers’ role behaviors have significant effects on enterprise innovation performance, where emotion resonance, knowledge sharing, and behavior resonance among employees play a significant mediating role. The conclusions have certain theoretical and practical significance to understand and exert the middle manager’s effects in enterprise innovation.

Key words:  network embeddedness, middle manager, innovation performance, roles