To keep your enemy's satisfaction to a lower level. I know I'm always upset when an enemy docks, and happy when they go poof. So I guess it's a good way to get back at the "winner" of that encounter.
Fear of death is inRP. The pod apparently saving your backside is inRP. Assuming the pod will 100% save your backside AND your opponent won't shoot it is ooRP. The most logical inRP goal at all times is to stay alive. Now you can say "my character is a badass motherfer" or "he just lost his fiancee, no more reason for him to live/he doesn't care anymore", but people can hardly overcome their natural instincts even despite these reasons. InRP docking on a station is a way more logical decision than suicide.
Deciding to flee and dock can happen for many ooRP reasons as well. One might be the desire to "win" in an other way if you can't win by destroying your opponent, because not letting them destroy you is also a victory, even if a smaller one. And while people might not want to waste their time to dodge 20k+ just to dock, they can also feel their time wasted if despite all the effort they blow up in the end. Another reason could be that people are still unable to overcome their natural instincts of survival even if they know this is just a game and all they risk is their time spent here bearing no profit. And I personally encourage trying to flee as it is a sign that you didn't give up your attempts to not die yet. Docking on a station has can have a lot of logical reasons ooRP too.
I hope that finally answered your question, I don't think if there is anything to talk about the matter.