The correct answer is: B. Business ally
Ulrich et al. (2009) define the role of the HR manager as a business ally. This means that HR managers should be strategic partners with business leaders, working together to achieve organizational goals. HR managers should be able to understand the business and its needs, and develop and implement HR strategies that support those needs.
Option A, personnel administrator, is a more traditional view of the HR role. Personnel administrators are responsible for tasks such as recruiting, hiring, and onboarding employees. However, this is not the only role of the HR manager in today’s organizations.
Option C, payroll advisor, is another more traditional view of the HR role. Payroll advisors are responsible for ensuring that employees are paid correctly and on time. However, this is also not the only role of the HR manager in today’s organizations.
Option D, organizational geographer, is not a role that is typically associated with HR. Organizational geographers are responsible for understanding the physical layout of an organization and how it affects employee productivity. This is a specialized role that is not typically part of the HR function.