. Alchian and Demsetz (1972) define shirking in
terms of its effect on other workers, implying that
the marginal product of one worker is affected by
the effort of another. If shirking occurs, it is
difficult to determine the value of a worker’s
marginal product, because it is also affected by
the performance of other workers. In the case of
silvicultural work, shirking occurs because reduced effort and diligence on the part of workers
negatively affects the anticipated ‘output’ and
‘quality’ of the forest ecosystem. Again, it is difficult to determine a worker’s true marginal value
product, although it rises as shirking is diminished.