Elsevier is just a commercial publisher. It's the academics who measure themselves or others on publications and not quality of work that create a scenario in which this business model can flourish.
In the past publishing in academic journals may have made sense. These days anyone can self-publish so the journals bring two things - peer review and an audience.
The former is of limited benefit now that anyone can comment, critique or reproduce. The second sites like Sci-Hub can provide.
[and I do own shares in Elsevier's parent, as will many of you]