The existence of HR as a "profession" is questionable, and that due to a plethora of reasons.
There is the eternal question of Employee vs. Employer baffling the most brightest of HR minds. Having a fat HR org should be taboo for any smart organisation, as much of the current HR fucntions are really operational activities that can be AUTOMATED.
In either case, the amount of strategy / board room policies the HR can contribute to still looks blurred to the sane corporate mind.
HR also happens to be a "hated" function as it does the hatchet job for the organization. Also HR is different for different people. For the scarce talent it is engaging but for the lower levels it is threatening...
Quote "We now see some of the sharpest brains opting for a career in human resource management given the infinite opportunities to learn and excel"
HR keep saying this to keep up their pride. Go to any B School, HR is the last option people pick up, even amognst gals. If some one chooses it, it just because they want to have a 9-5 job.
If there are 2 HR in a company, just ask 1 question to both of them, they are bound to give different answers. HR are mostly second class employees and are looked down upon, unless one is with HR only firms like Hewitt