Final answer:
Top executives view the top HR executive as a strategic partner when they involve them in key organizational activities such as improving selection processes, performance appraisals, evaluating merger compatibility, and selecting outsourcing vendors for benefits administration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks if certain activities would indicate that top executives view the top HR executive as contributing to the strategic success of the organization. When top executives involve the HR manager in streamlining the employee selection process, improving the implementation of performance appraisals for supervisors, evaluating potential merger candidates for organizational compatibility, and selecting a vendor for outsourcing benefits administration, it demonstrates that they recognize the strategic importance of HR in achieving the firm's broader goals.
These actions show a modern understanding of HR as a partner in the strategic management of the firm, aligning HR functions with the firm's strategic needs and contributing to organizational success. This is in line with the trend where the relationship between management and employees is viewed as a cooperative partnership, further supporting the firm's interests aligning with those of the true owners - the shareholders.