[pcthrowaway]

I believe companies certainly do interview people they don't intend to hire, to get a feel for things like what the field is like, or what the expected salary for prospects with certain skills are. I've heard there are situations where they have a person in mind for a position, but because of corporate policies they're required to post the job and interview people.

[cellularmitosis]

I've seen these sorts of shenanigans happen at a public university, where they already know whom they want to hire, and even create a new position specifically for them, but are required to post the job opening to their public-facing jobs website, and are forced to interview at least X number of the people whom apply.