Final answer:
The practice found to be rarer in Japanese offshoring relative to US ones is having stable upfront project requirements. US firms focus more on setting clear initial requirements, whereas Japanese firms may allow for more iterative development.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Tiwana and colleagues article that examines offshoring practices in major Japanese and US firms such as Toshiba, IBM, Fujitsu, Hitachi, and Mitsubishi Electric, one practice found to be rarer in Japanese offshoring relative to US ones is Stable upfront project requirements. The US companies tend to emphasize on solidifying project requirements early in the development process, seeking to minimize changes later on.
In contrast, Japanese companies may allow for more flexibility and iterative refinement over the course of a project. This approach is aligned with the empirical nature of software development learned through gradual understanding and adjustment, which can be contrasted with the more plan-driven methodologies often seen in the United States.
The use of lean methodologies, such as just-in-time delivery, has been influential in both Japanese manufacturing and software development practices, aiming to reduce waste and improve efficiency.