A Role-Based Taxonomy of Human Resource Organizations

Abstract

[Excerpt] An empirically-derived classification (taxonomy) of human resource "departments", based on a few fundamental roles played in organizations, was developed as an alternative to the mostly speculative existing typologies. Four types emerged: the strategic partner, the strategic advisor, the operational partner, and the operational administrator. The stability of the solution and the relationships with variables not used to generate it were found satisfactory. The types show some similarities with those identified in the literature.