That question alone is open ended and would have as many answers as there are directory owners, each person would look at submissions based on their directory structure and needs and or requirements for that directory.

Back to the PR as an example, and with the understanding that this subject alone is a divided topic where some people are pro PR and others have dismissed it as non relative as an up front or priority factor, i am in the second group.

Then coming back to PR yes as you state higher PR may be better for your over all position, but with that what is the directory's intention ? i promoted as being for the people not the search engines, if so then if i am faced with 2 submissions, 1 a new listing / site that is well put together, holds valuable information and or resources for the intended viewer but has a PR0 or similar or 2. a site full of rubbish banged in on a dropped domain with PR4 or similar, what would you choose ?

in my case it would be number 1, with a vision if i attract new and repeat visitors by providing quality then long term i have done my job or at least hope to.

the person pushing the PR wheelbarrow will list number 2 based on the original thinking, they do not care about visitors and only have a push my PRX site as a money are perceived Monetory value to them.

with so many ways and options we all need to make calls that best suit our own directory needs and vision ( if some people have that ) and in saying that there is no wrong no right and for me i stand on neutral ground and would rather just focus on my own business and what i can control within that environment and have learned quickly to refrain from interfering with how others run their business.