overlap of authority

USAGE SUMMARY

"overlap of authority" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually refers to a situation where two or more entities have authority over the same area, either because they have both been granted it or because their jurisdiction covers the same space. For example, "The overlap of authority between the two government departments resulted in a lot of confusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Overlap of authority can get confusing, muck up productivity, and cause unnecessary delays, if not out-and-out grief.

Huffington Post

In many parts of the Coral Triangle, governance is further complicated by overlap of authority between formal and customary government systems: whilst customary tenure is recognised in national constitutions, traditional systems of natural resource management tend to be poorly integrated with national policies and legislation.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's hardly a new idea; in the 1970s, political theorist Hedley Bull described his theory of "neomedievalism," the emergence of non-state actors and the overlapping of authority with governments.

Vice

Unlike cities such as Indianapolis and Charlotte, which consolidated regional governments, the Atlanta area remains balkanised into scores of towns and cities and dozens of counties, often with overlapping spheres of authority and generally run by mayors and county officials that protect their own and don't coordinate with, or particularly like, each other as much as they should.

The Economist

In practice, however, the utility is paralyzed by lots of bosses with no real responsibility, overlapping lines of authority and competing political interests.

Los Angeles Times

In practice, however, the utility is paralyzed by too many bosses with no real responsibility, overlapping lines of authority and competing political interests.

Los Angeles Times

The governance of PHC in Nigeria reflects the relations between local health markets, communities, sub-national governments, the national government and global agencies, with overlapping centres of authority and responsibility, which interact to determine the rules under which people can act in the demand and supply of services (McGinnis 2011).

Health Policy and Planning

Any company that was organized this way -- with overlapping divisions, ambiguous lines of authority and no cohesive strategy -- would go out of business.

The New York Times

China's power grid is a tangle of interlocking entities, overlapping vertical and horizontal lines of authority, and complex interplay between government, party and military bureaucracies.

The Economist

The Council on Foreign Relations' assessment of global finance notes that excessive institutions with overlapping directives and limited scopes of authority, coupled with difficulty aligning national interests with international reforms, are the two key weaknesses inhibiting global financial reform.

Wikipedia

In the matrix, however, power struggles are inevitable; the boundaries of authority and responsibility overlap prompting people to maximize their own advantage.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or governmental contexts, meticulously define the jurisdictional boundaries to mitigate potential conflicts arising from the "overlap of authority".

Common error

While "overlap of authority" can create confusion, it doesn't automatically guarantee problems. Properly managed, some redundancy can provide checks and balances or ensure continuity of critical functions. Therefore, accurately reflect if the overlapping authorities are actually generating adverse effects or if they just possess a latent potential to do so.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overlap of authority" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe situations where multiple entities have control or power over the same domain. Examples in Ludwig show it modifying organizational structures and governmental systems.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Academia

25%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overlap of authority" is a noun phrase used to describe situations where multiple entities share or compete for control over the same domain. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While the phrase is useful for identifying potential governance challenges, it’s important to consider the specific context and whether the overlap results in negative consequences. When using this phrase, be clear about the affected areas and potential impacts. Alternatives like "jurisdictional conflict" or "duplication of responsibilities" can be used for nuanced meanings. Remember to clarify the scope of the overlap and its effects to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competing jurisdictions

Highlights the presence of multiple authorities vying for control over the same area or issue.

jurisdictional conflict

Focuses specifically on conflicts arising from overlapping or unclear legal or administrative boundaries.

overlapping mandates

Highlights the similarity of duties and responsibilities between various organizations.

ambiguous authority

Focuses on the uncertainty and lack of definition surrounding the scope and limits of power.

duplication of responsibilities

Highlights the redundancy and potential inefficiency of having multiple entities responsible for the same tasks.

lack of clear accountability

Addresses the consequence of unclear authority, where it becomes difficult to assign responsibility.

blurred lines of responsibility

Emphasizes the lack of clarity in who is accountable for specific actions or outcomes.

diffusion of power

Focuses on the spread of power across many entities, potentially weakening central control.

shared governance

Implies a more collaborative approach where authority is intentionally distributed among multiple parties.

decentralized control

Suggests a deliberate distribution of power away from a central authority.

FAQs

How does "overlap of authority" typically affect organizational efficiency?

"Overlap of authority" can lead to confusion, delays, and reduced productivity, as team members may be unsure of who to report to or whose decisions take precedence. This can create bottlenecks and hinder decision-making processes.

What are some strategies to mitigate problems caused by "overlap of authority"?

Strategies include clearly defining roles and responsibilities, establishing transparent communication channels, and creating a decision-making framework that resolves conflicts effectively. Additionally, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect can help minimize friction. Establishing clear "lines of authority" and "accountability mechanisms" can also improve outcomes.

Is "overlap of authority" always a negative phenomenon?

Not necessarily. In some cases, a degree of overlap can provide redundancy and resilience, ensuring that critical functions are not dependent on a single point of failure. Furthermore, it can promote "checks and balances", preventing any one individual or entity from wielding excessive power.

What's the difference between "overlap of authority" and "delegation of authority"?

"Overlap of authority" describes a situation where multiple entities simultaneously possess authority over the same area. "Delegation of authority", on the other hand, involves the temporary assignment of authority from one entity to another, without relinquishing original oversight.