The function of general management differs from the other organisational functions in that it is the function that integrates all the others.

Most businesses today are sub-divided into a number of different departments, each of which will focus their efforts on a specific activity or role, which will ultimately aid the business in its quest to fulfil its short and long term objectives. The volume of personnel in these departments will range greatly - some may contain just a few people and be based on one small site, while others may contain thousands and be spread across …

…of integration, as well as to continually asses whether of not integration is being achieved. Good general managers will be good at handling people and their problems. Their role becomes increasingly important, and also increasingly difficult as the overall size of a firm increases. There does of course come a point where the general managers themselves have to look at their own internal methods of integrating with each other, although that, is another matter entirely.