It's useful because if an issue is difficult, both levels can disavow responsibility.

in german there is a word for this

Zuständigkeitspingpong

competence table tennis

Sry to be pedantic (it is german after all) but,

"responsibility table tennis" would be a better fit.

Competence in english translates to the skill side of the word

> in german there is a word for this

I am not surprised.

> competence table tennis

Magnificent!