According to the article provided, what I think is that the academics and HR professionals embraced Strategic Human Resource Management due to both self-interest and a business advantage point of view. Using SHRM gives them a 'higher status' amongst other organisations as it is newer phenomenom and also provides them with an upper hand due to the strategic nature of it. In the case of academics, they have embraced SHRM to raise its importance as a field of study so that more people can opt for it and imply it in their future professions.
I agree with your perspective !