> The simple answer is that the people who would make those decisions are the people who hold those jobs.

We just went through a season of layoffs - I find it hard to believe that no one thought to get rid of the so-called bullshit jobs for greater efficiencies.

For arguments sake, lets say the conspiracy for bs jobs goes all the way to the top (C-suite, boards) in established companies: how about startups then? Where are the streamlined startups that are more efficient than incumbents by simply not creating those "unnecessary" roles?

I suspect that coordination problems necessitates these roles as companies grow larger - call it corporate carcinization if you will. If you were to start your streamlined org today, it will evolve into a crab-like form.