[yourapostasy]

> As long as there's a chance to eek out some more money...But here we are still willing to gamble that they'll respect our IP because maybe we can make a few bucks.

What I observe is the motivation isn't to "make a few bucks", it is "give the perception that a few bucks will be made". It looks like the agency problem: move to China, convincingly explain to the board and shareholders that such a move was bold, strategically sound, daring, fiscally prudent, and courageous. Gather stacks. Show a few years of expense sheet fluffing, meanwhile cutting everything else that isn't measured. Exit stage left. By the time the chickens come home to roost, IBGYBG.

What I find curious is I don't really see Japanese corporations doing this, even though they also do a tremendous amount of business in China. I hazard a guess at an overall business leadership culture difference between Japan and America; America's is more value extractive-oriented ("unlocking" value), while Japan's is more value constructive-oriented (looking for compounding small, incremental improvements to deliver value).