I suspect there are cultural issues that break down communications.
I've seen people who've got really cool sites to show that they've worked on in their spare time, or worked on with local collaborators.
Somehow, and it's hard to pinpoint how, when they try to work with someone in the West, it breaks down. Understandings that are natural to you sitting in one part of the world may have been completely missed by your remote guy in the East. Doesn't always happen, but it's enough to warrant a risk premium.
I've seen people who've got really cool sites to show that they've worked on in their spare time, or worked on with local collaborators.
Somehow, and it's hard to pinpoint how, when they try to work with someone in the West, it breaks down. Understandings that are natural to you sitting in one part of the world may have been completely missed by your remote guy in the East. Doesn't always happen, but it's enough to warrant a risk premium.