If you want to be a really successful HR that puts its hands in the business and greatly adds value to business, then it is the mixture.
The question would then be “Why a mixture of two?” Because being an HR that leads and guides business, you both have to demonstrate analytical skills and creative skills. HR is not just composed of policies and procedures today. Technology is transforming HR as well, adding new tools, techniques and strategies, even new complex human and system problems. A successful HR needs creativity and imagination to build tailor made strategy and actions to create people engagement, best practices, team spirit; and needs the analytical side to measure and calibrate the people strategy.
HR needs both research (science) and application (art) !
What is your opinion?