Burdens, Sludge, Ordeals, Red Tape, Oh My! A User’s Guide to the Study of Frictions

Jonas Krogh Madsen*, Kim Sass Mikkelsen, Donald P. Moynihan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Recent years have seen a dramatic growth in the study of frictions that individuals experience, especially in their interactions with the public sector, creating both the potential for new research opportunities and conceptual confusion. We seek to head off the latter by providing, in one place, a definition, description of the development, and comparison of four dominant conceptions of frictions: ordeal mechanisms, red tape, administrative burden, and sludge. In particular, we discuss the four concepts' definitions and use in terms of their objectivity, distributive effects, object and domain, and deliberate design. This article helps researchers to understand the overlap and distinctions between these concepts and the role of public administration in these different traditions. Comparisons of the different approaches' thinking also suggest opportunities for mutual learning.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPublic Administration
Volume100
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)375-393
Number of pages19
ISSN0033-3298
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2022

Bibliographical note

Important note from the Publisher regarding the attached version of the article: "This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Krogh Madsen, J., Sass Mikkelsen, K. and Moynihan, D. (2021), Burdens, Sludge, Ordeals, Red Tape, Oh My! A User’s Guide to the Study of Frictions. Public Admin. Accepted Author Manuscript, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12717. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions."

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