Effect of 5G-Enabled Real-Time Monitoring on Production Line Flexibility: A Survey of Industry 4.0 Adopters

This research aims to analyze the impact of 5G-enabled real-time monitoring on enhancing production line flexibility within an Iraqi industrial environment, through a case study at the General Company for Electrical and Electronic Industries. The study adopted a descriptive analytical methodology using a structured questionnaire covering three dimensions of the independent variable (Connectivity and Data Transmission, Data Accuracy and Monitoring Quality, Decision-Making and Response Time), along with the dependent variable (Production Line Flexibility). The questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 188 employees, and data were analyzed using SPSS (version 29). The statistical methods included reliability and validity testing (Cronbach’s Alpha), Pearson correlation analysis, multiple linear regression, and model diagnostic tests (VIF, Bartlett's Test, Kolmogorov–Smirnov Test). The results revealed a strong and statistically significant relationship between the dimensions of real-time monitoring and production flexibility, with an overall correlation coefficient of 0.774. The regression model explained 62.9% of the variance in the dependent variable. This study is distinguished by providing field data from a developing industrial setting, adding practical value to existing literature.