The War on Sludge: Uncovering the Cognitive Roots of Administrative Complexity

Abstract: Administrative procedures often create "sludge"—frictions that impede action and generate costs for both organizations and individuals. While political and structural drivers of administrative complexity are well-documented, the cognitive mechanisms underlying the emergence and persistence of sludge remain underexplored. Through three series of experimental studies (N=3,278), this thesis investigates how cognitive mechanisms and biases—namely additive bias, our moral intuitions, and outcome bias—systematically influence how administrative procedures are designed, evaluated, and maintained, ultimately contributing to excessive bureaucracy. In turn, our findings provide valuable insights for developing more effective strategies to reduce unnecessary sludge and promote more efficient administrative practices.