the evolution of the human resource management (hrm) function over the years has led to increased expectations from hr professionals to act as strategic business partners. this study explores the perceived importance of industry related technical knowledge and skills for hr professionals working in engineering and it industries in canada and pakistan from the perspective of hr professionals as well as technical managers. this is an exploratory collective case study in which the hr professionals in technical industries within pakistan and canada have been used as bounded systems within which the study is conducted. this study found a lot of similarities between canada and pakistan regarding perceived importance of technical knowledge and skills for hr professionals as well as confirming findings from earlier studies on the strategic role of hrm.