The Industrial Research Unit of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania mission was to "study the economic and social problems of business." The unit was founded in 1921, and was originally called the Industrial Research Department. The Department was sponsored by the University's trustees and financially assisted by the Carnegie Corporation, and worked with a group of representative Philadelphia firms that furnished data for research and analysis. From its inception until World War II, the Department attracted worldwide attention for its pioneering studies of industrial relations. Research results were well received by employer associations, government agencies, and international organizations.

Due to budgetary problems after World War II there was a restructuring of the institution. In 1953, the Department became a unit of the Wharton School's Department of Industry (later known as the Department of Management). The title "Industrial Research Unit" came into existence at this time. The Unit made new progress in areas of labor mobility, pricing, and productivity. In 1964, when the Wharton School appointed Herbert Roof Northrup (1918-2007) as chairman of the Department of Industry and director of the Industrial Research Unit, and the Unit moved from 3440 Walnut Street to the Wharton School's Dietrich Hall, its future was uncertain. Under Northrup's leadership however, it soon succeeded in gaining necessary resources to fund new initiatives. By the summer of 1968, the Unit had become an active, vital organization again, advancing knowledge in industrial relations, labor market, manpower, and industry studies. In addition to contributing numerous articles to professional journals worldwide, it completed two book series. Under Northrup's direction, Wharton became the largest academic publisher of industrial labor relations and personnel materials.

In 1972, the Industrial Research Unit moved its offices to the newly built Vance Hall. In 1990, the institution was renamed "The Center for Human Resources." The present center is more focused on the study of human resources and labor and personnel management.

Herbert Roof Northrup (1918-2007) was chairman of the Department of Industry and director of the Industrial Research Unit.

Northrup was born March 6, 1918 in Irvington, New Jersey. Northrup received an AB from Duke University in 1939, an AM from Harvard University in 1941, and a PhD from Harvard University in 1942. After college, Northrup held numerous positions in his career as an economist and business executive. He was an instructor of economics at Cornell University, 1942-1943; a senior hearing officer for the National War Labor Board from 1943 to 1945; assistant professor of economics at Columbia University from 1945-1949; and a labor economist for the National Industrial Conference Board from 1949-1952. Other positions held by Northrup were: industrial relations consultant for Ebasco Services, 1952-1955; vice president of industrial relations for Penn-Texas Corp., New York City, 1955-1958; employee relations manager for General Electric Co., 1958-1961; and professor of industry at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School from 1961-1988. Northrup retired in 1988. While at the Wharton School, Northrup was also chairman of the department of industry from 1964 to 1969, and director of the Industrial Research Unit from 1964 to 1988. Northrup was also chairman of the Labor Relations Council from 1968 to 1985.

Northrup served as a consultant and expert witness on manpower, personnel and labor relations problems for various companies and wrote numerous articles and publications during his career. He was also an arbitrator in labor relations disputes. In October 1982 Northrup was appointed chairman by President Reagan, of an Emergency Board to "investigate a dispute between the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the Delaware Transportation Authority, and certain labor organizations."

Northrup retired from teaching in 1983 but continued to research and publish. Northrup married Eleanor Pearson (1920-2018) on June 3, 1944, and had five children. Northrup lived in Haverford, Pennsylvania until his death on October 22, 2007.