This applies well to small organizations or departments, but large organizations, especially universities, could hire researches to work in a field, rather than on a specific task. Researchers working on important problems can work on things that no one would do in their absence.
“X” was meant to be the name of a field rather than of a specific task. I don’t think that makes much difference. But yes, there are contexts in which if you weren’t available your work simply wouldn’t be done. In that case, your marginal contribution equals your contribution, and once again, the “your contribution minus the next-best person’s” calculation gives much too small an answer.
This applies well to small organizations or departments, but large organizations, especially universities, could hire researches to work in a field, rather than on a specific task. Researchers working on important problems can work on things that no one would do in their absence.
“X” was meant to be the name of a field rather than of a specific task. I don’t think that makes much difference. But yes, there are contexts in which if you weren’t available your work simply wouldn’t be done. In that case, your marginal contribution equals your contribution, and once again, the “your contribution minus the next-best person’s” calculation gives much too small an answer.