Sunk cost - in regard to time spent, but perhaps task completion syndrome would better describe what they're observing. This syndrome has led to accidents where people have set a path, planned objectives and despite emerging obstacles keep on going regardless.

This new term they've coined, also seems to, from one example they've listed, is already covered by better the devil you know where the second option is unknown or uncertain. Their list other apparently confirming observations IMO fall into task completion syndrome

putting it that way makes it seem very un-glitchy, as there is a standing real world investment. what would be glitchy is recognizing that there is a better [efficient] way, and failing that realization, by way of excuses [its never been done before]

Those researchers are probably Gen Z so give them a break they're still learning vocabulary.

And there it is: https://kristinecho.com/