Exponential smoothing is a forecasting technique that uses a weighted average of past and present data to predict future values. It is suitable for time series data that have a stable or slowly changing trend and no significant seasonal variations. Exponential smoothing assigns more weight to the most recent data, giving it a higher influence on the forecast. This makes it more responsive to changes in demand patterns than other techniques, such as moving average or time series decomposition, which use fixed weights or historical data. The Delphi method is a qualitative technique that involves a panel of experts who provide their opinions and feedback on a topic through multiple rounds of surveys. It is not based on historical data or mathematical formulas, but rather on human judgment and consensus. Therefore, it is not appropriate for developing a forecast.Reference: CPIM Part 2 Exam Content Manual, Version 7.0, Domain 3: Plan and Manage Demand, Section A: Demand Management, Subsection 2: Forecasting Techniques and Methods, p. 14-15.

Offering digital downloads only may result in an increased possibility of loss of intellectual property, as this exposes the online retailer to the risk of cyber theft and piracy. Digital downloads are easier to copy, distribute, and modify without authorization than hard copy books, and the online retailer may lose control over its IP rights and revenues. Cyber thieves may hack into the online retailer's network and steal its IP assets, such as the content, design, and format of the books. Pirates may also offer illegal copies of the books to consumers at lower prices or for free, undermining the online retailer's market share and profitability.According to Deloitte Insights, IP cyber theft has largely remained in the shadows compared with more familiar cybercrimes such as the theft of credit card, consumer health, and other personally identifiable information1.However, IP cyber theft can have serious consequences for a company's future, as IP is the heart of the 21st-century company, an essential motor driving innovation, competitiveness, and the growth of businesses and the economy as a whole1.The WIPO Magazine also notes that digital technology has made IP theft easier, as Bad Actors use technology to flood the online market with pirated and counterfeit goods2.The impact of IP theft on the economy can be significant, as it can result in loss of legitimate sales, reduced tax revenues, lower employment opportunities, and diminished incentives for innovation3. Therefore, an online retailer that moves from delivering hard copy books to offering digital downloads only should take appropriate measures to protect its IP from cyber theft and piracy.This may include using encryption, digital rights management, watermarking, authentication, and monitoring technologies, as well as educating consumers about the value and benefits of legal downloads

A cradle-to-cradle sustainability model is a design approach that seeks to reuse all materials and components and eliminate waste.It is based on the concept of circular economy, which aims to keep materials in use for as long as possible and regenerate natural systems12.A cradle-to-cradle sustainability model follows the principle of a potentially infinite circular economy, where all products are designed to be either biodegradable or recyclable3.

An example of a cradle-to-cradle sustainability model would be a coffee shop that collects paper waste in its restaurants, has a selected supplier collect the paper waste to be recycled, and then purchases paper products from that supplier. This example shows how the coffee shop closes the loop of the paper material cycle, by reusing the paper waste as an input for new paper products. This way, the coffee shop reduces its environmental impact, saves resources, and supports the circular economy.

The other options are not examples of a cradle-to-cradle sustainability model, because they do not reuse all materials and components and eliminate waste.A laundry service that collects dirty baby clothes from families, cleans them in large, efficient batches, and then sorts and delivers them back to each family is an example of a service-based business model, which reduces the need for owning products and extends their lifespan, but does not necessarily reuse or recycle the materials4.A company that uses wood that has been gathered from multiple sources to construct items, such as beds and toys for babies and young children is an example of a product-based business model, which may use renewable or recycled materials, but does not guarantee that the products are biodegradable or recyclable5.A bank that offers the lowest interest rates on loans to firms that are committed to using recycled materials and implementing zero-waste initiatives in their processes is an example of a financial incentive scheme, which encourages sustainable practices, but does not directly reuse or recycle materials6.

The priority rule that is most consistent with the objective of meeting due dates is slack time per operation. Slack time per operation is a priority rule that assigns a priority index to each job based on the ratio of the remaining slack time to the remaining number of operations. Slack time is the difference between the due date and the expected completion time of a job. A lower ratio means a higher priority, as it indicates that the job has less slack time per operation and is more likely to be late. Slack time per operation is a dynamic priority rule, as it updates the priority index after each operation is completed. Slack time per operation can help minimize the number of tardy jobs and the average tardiness of jobs, as it gives preference to the jobs that are closer to their due dates and have more operations left.

First-come-first-served (FCFS) is not a priority rule that is consistent with the objective of meeting due dates. FCFS is a priority rule that processes jobs in the order of their arrival or release times. FCFS is a simple and fair rule, but it ignores the processing times and due dates of jobs. FCFS can result in poor due date performance, as it can delay urgent or short jobs behind long or non-urgent jobs.

Shortest processing time (SPT) is not a priority rule that is consistent with the objective of meeting due dates. SPT is a priority rule that processes jobs in ascending order of their processing times. SPT is an effective rule for minimizing the average flow time and work-in-process inventory of jobs, as it clears out small jobs quickly and reduces congestion in the system. However, SPT does not consider the due dates of jobs, and it can make long or urgent jobs late.

Fewest operations remaining is not a priority rule that is consistent with the objective of meeting due dates. Fewest operations remaining is a priority rule that processes jobs in ascending order of their remaining number of operations. Fewest operations remaining is a rule that can reduce the variability and complexity of jobs, as it tends to complete jobs faster and reduce their flow times. However, fewest operations remaining does not take into account the slack times or due dates of jobs, and it can make urgent or short jobs late.

A statistical safety stock calculation is a method to determine the optimal amount of safety stock based on the demand variability, the lead time variability, and the desired service level. A statistical safety stock calculation would be appropriate for end items with stable demand, because these items have a predictable demand pattern and a low coefficient of variation. For items with unstable or unpredictable demand, such as components used in multiple end items, new products at time of introduction, or supply-constrained raw materials, a statistical safety stock calculation may not be accurate or reliable, and other methods such as judgmental or simulation-based approaches may be preferred.Reference: CPIM Part 2 Exam Content Manual, Domain 5: Plan and Manage Inventory, Section 5.4: Inventory Management Techniques, p. 29.