While 65% of HR departments perceive themselves as a strategic partner to their business, just 15% of activities carried out by HR departments across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) are related to pure strategic interventions, according to a survey of 500 HR directors by Mercer.

Astik Ranade, a principal at Mercer and co-author of the report, says: “HR appears chameleon-like, constantly aware of and adapting to their changing environment and keen to lead organisational change, yet their ultimate goal to be considered fully strategic is a branch too far.

“What we’re seeing is a renewed interest across EMEA from companies keen to re-examine their HR function, its value to the business and how it can further influence its internal strategy and alignment. Slowly but surely, HR is making progress.”