The Importance of Study

AJA

Arab J. Admin.

1110-5453 2663-4473

The Arab Journal of Administration

Arab Administrative Development Organization, League of Arab States

Cairo, Egypt

10.21608/aja.2023.176084.1360

874

Research Article

The Effect of the Method of Remote Work on the Supply and Supply Chains for Government Services: Applied Study on the Directorate of Social Solidarity in Cairo Governorate

Elwakel

Manal Mohamed Ahmed

manalelwkeel@yahoo.com

Al Jazeera Academy in Mokattam

Arab Republic of Egypt

02 2023

28 01 2026

02 2026

11 2022 02 2023 26 01 2026 46 1 293 310

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).

Under the world circumstances the organizations with all its affiliations have undergone, there are recent attitudes for developing the work methods appropriately to cope with these circumstances and the radical changes in the management of organizations in terms of the organizational dimension and the employees. Consequently, the organizations have started to look for suitable methods to deal with indefinite risky variables clearly. This requires humane and organizational efforts to change the work environment and methods to cope with the work updates, especially, the global updates make the organizations face several burdens in doing its works appropriately. Thus, the organizations have shifted to the method of remote work under these challenges as the communication occurs in the virtual world. This method depends on doing the functions in locations rather than the headquarter, realizes the cooperation and flexibility in the employees’ performance, the making use of technology in doing jobs easily, and controlling the management and operations. The supply and supply chains are ones of the significant functions influenced by the new global challenges in terms of transferring to the method remote work. It significantly affects the relationship between the inputs and outputs and its distributions, and the relationship between suppliers, customers and distributers. Hence, the supply and supply chains are redesigned to face the challenge of meeting the demands and heading to the digital transformation too rapidly. The current study stresses the effect of the method of remote work on the supply and supply chains for government services: applied study on the Directorate of Social Solidarity in Cairo governorate.

Method of Remote Work Specifications of the Method of Remote Work Equipment of the Remote Work Environment Capabilities and Skills of the Employees of the Method of Remote Work Supply and Supply Chains The Youth Directorate of Cairo Governorate Public Organizations

The Importance of Study

The importance of the method of remote work as a modern global attitude in terms of the performance of the organizations and employees, especially in the wake of Corona pandemic that leads to a radical change in performing different works.

Egypt has started to apply the digital transformation in the governmental entities, as it is related to the method of remote work and its importance is related to serving the nation’s attitude.

The role of the supply chains in facilitating the delivery of services to the beneficiaries, especially in the governmental entities seeking to develop the methods of services delivery according to the best specifications.

The significance of Directorate of Social Solidarity’s role in providing many beneficiaries (including different categories of the society) with material and specific social services.

It provides applied procedures that help Directorate of Social Solidarity apply the method of remote work and its role in developing the performance of supply chains.

The Goals of the Study

Defining the relationship between the method of remote work and the supply and supply chains for government services in Directorate of Social Solidarity in Cairo governorate.

Recognizing the dimensions and specifications of the remote work method and its relation to the supply and supply chains for government services in Directorate of Social Solidarity in Cairo governorate.

Verifying the relationship between the equipment of the remote work method and the supply and supply chains for government services in Directorate of Social Solidarity in Cairo governorate.

Verifying the validity of the relationship between the capabilities and skills of the remote work method employees and the supply and supply chains for government services in Directorate of Social Solidarity in Cairo governorate.

Identifying the specifications of the remote work method and the supply and supply chains for government services in Directorate of Social Solidarity in Cairo governorate.

Revising and Analyzing the Previous Studies The Method of Remote Work

The method of remote work emerged notably after the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing task execution away from headquarters, cooperation, flexibility, and leveraging technology for ease and control. Studies highlight impacts on cooperation, welfare, productivity, satisfaction, balance between work and life, organizational control, leadership in guiding remote teams, and management skills needed in remote contexts. Psychological factors, leadership styles, and organizational culture influence remote work effectiveness, while risks include overload, reduced interaction, and burnout.

The Supply and Supply Chains for Services

Building flexible, innovative supply chains requires clear authority, coordination, trust, and technology adoption. Public-sector supply chains benefit from IT investment, strategic purchasing, and digital transformation. Confidence between buyers and suppliers, redesign to meet demands, social responsibility, and governance are crucial. Crises pressure supply chains, necessitating leadership, culture, risk management, agility, and green initiatives to sustain performance.

Table 1. Most important scientific gaps related to remote work derived from previous studies

Gaps	References
Challenging performance of functions outside headquarters; cooperation, flexibility, technology use; management control; organizing relationships in remote work	Delfino & van der Kolk (2021); Arunprasad et al. (2022); Yang et al. (2021)
Balancing work and life; leadership guidance; satisfaction and productivity in remote work	Kiljunen et al. (2022); Grant et al. (2013); Camp et al. (2022)
Motivation and HR management in remote work; flexibility; productivity measurement; work–life balance	Prodanova & Kocarev (2022); Carraher-Wolverton (2022); Grant et al. (2019)
Adapting culture and behaviors; preparing remote work environment; communication in virtual settings; overload and performance pressures	Adisa et al. (2021); Szulc et al. (2022); Krajcsak & Kozak (2022)
Employee engagement; capability to balance work and life	Charalampous et al. (2022); Frieder et al. (2022)

Table 2. Most important scientific gaps related to supply and supply chains derived from previous studies

Gaps	References
Developing supply chains via recent techniques, innovation, diversity; rapid demand fulfillment; digital transformation; redesign	Rampersad et al. (2020); Meehan & Pinnington (2021); Seepma et al. (2021)
Building confidence with suppliers/customers; redesign to meet needs; social responsibility; governance	Mittal et al. (2018); Brookbanks & Parry (2022); Broomes (2016)
Innovation to surpass risks; flexibility in green chains; improving performance during crises	Laorden et al. (2022); Mittal & Sinha (2021); Dubey et al. (2022)
Applying modern approaches; enhancing risk management; motivating green initiatives; harmony and simplicity in logistics	Nagariya et al. (2021); Lamboll et al. (2018); Negi & Negi (2021)
Quality infrastructure; cultural/institutional/geographical traits; governance; knowledge and skills	Butt & Shah (2021); Tukamuhabwa et al. (2021); Harland et al. (2021)

The Research Problem

Main question: What is the effect of remote work method on the supply and supply chains for government services in the Directorate of Social Solidarity in Cairo governorate?

Effect of specifications of remote work method on supply and supply chains?

Effect of equipment of remote work environment on supply and supply chains?

Effect of capabilities and skills of remote work employees on supply and supply chains?

The Objective Limits of the Study

Three axes for remote work method: specifications, equipment of remote work environment, capabilities and skills of employees.

Hypotheses of the Study and Research Variables Model

H01: No statistically significant relationship (α≤0.05) between specifications of remote work method and supply and supply chains for government services.

H02: No statistically significant relationship (α≤0.05) between equipment of remote work environment and supply and supply chains for government services.

H03: No statistically significant relationship (α≤0.05) between capabilities and skills of employees of remote work method and supply and supply chains for government services.

Figure 1. Model of research relationships

Table 3. Conceptual and procedural definitions of the research variables

Variable	Conceptual definition	Reference	Procedural definition	Reference
Specifications of remote work method	Criteria of how to do remote work through certain techniques away from headquarters	Arunprasad et al. (2022)	Disciplines of tasks done at home or outside via electronic platforms and organization website	Jeske (2022)
Equipment of remote work environment	Equipment and resources provided for preparing remote work environment	Camp et al. (2022)	Digital platforms and electronic infrastructure used by employees	Carraher-Wolverton (2022)
Capabilities & skills of employees of remote work method	Human features and experiences of remote work method	Prodanova & Kocarev (2022)	Capabilities and skills to do tasks easily without problems	Krajcsak & Kozak (2022)
Supply & supply chains for services	System of flow and storage and relationships between suppliers and customers	Seepma et al. (2021)	Procedures for obtaining materials and ensuring flow and delivery of products/services	Brookbanks & Parry (2022)

The Methodology

An analytic descriptive method was applied, with an applied study using a comprehensive survey of leaders (115) in the Directorate of Social Solidarity, Cairo. A questionnaire captured axes of remote work method and supply/supply chains, using Likert 5-point scale.

Table 4. Correlations between research questions, goals, and hypotheses

Research questions	Goals	Hypotheses
Main question	1, 2, 3, 4, 5	H01, H02, H03
Secondary question 1	2	H01
Secondary question 2	3	H02
Secondary question 3	4	H03

Face and content validity were checked by experts; reliability via Cronbach’s alpha.

Table 5. Design of the study tool measures

Axis	Items	Percentage
Specifications of remote work method	7	33.5%
Equipment of remote work environment	7	33.5%
Capabilities & skills of employees of remote work	7	33.5%
Total (independent variable)	21	100%
Supply & supply chains for services (dependent)	15	100%

Table 6. Alpha coefficient of internal consistency

Axis	Alpha
Remote work method	0.911
Supply and supply chains for services	0.899
Total tool	0.906

Sample: 115 questionnaires distributed; 114 returned; 105 complete (92%).

The Applied Study and Testing the Research Hypotheses Testing H01

Pearson correlation shows a significant positive relationship between specifications of remote work method and supply/supply chains (r=0.846, p=0.002). R²=0.715.

Table 7. Pearson correlation: specifications of remote work method vs. supply and supply chains

Relationship	r	p-value	Result
Specifications of remote work method ↔ supply and supply chains	0.846**	0.002	Significant

** Significant at <0.05

Table 8. Simple linear regression: specifications of remote work method → supply and supply chains

Independent variable	β	t	p-value	F	p-value	R²
Specifications of remote work method	0.846	21.434	0.003	456.904	0.003	0.715

Intercept = 0.398

Testing H02

Pearson correlation shows a significant positive relationship between equipment of remote work environment and supply/supply chains (r=0.846, p=0.005). R²=0.746.

Table 9. Pearson correlation: equipment of remote work environment vs. supply and supply chains

Relationship	r	p-value	Result
Equipment of remote work environment ↔ supply and supply chains	0.846**	0.005	Significant

** Significant at <0.05

Table 10. Simple linear regression: equipment of remote work environment → supply and supply chains

Independent variable	β	t	p-value	F	p-value	R²
Equipment of remote work environment	0.846	21.856	0.004	445.789	0.004	0.746

Intercept = 0.456

Testing H03

Pearson correlation shows a significant positive relationship between capabilities and skills of employees of remote work method and supply/supply chains (r=0.881, p=0.003). R²=0.776.

Table 11. Pearson correlation: capabilities and skills of employees vs. supply and supply chains

Relationship	r	p-value	Result
Capabilities and skills ↔ supply and supply chains	0.881**	0.003	Significant

** Significant at <0.05

Table 12. Simple linear regression: capabilities and skills → supply and supply chains

Independent variable	β	t	p-value	F	p-value	R²
Capabilities and skills of employees	0.881	21.678	0.005	467.567	0.005	0.776

Intercept = 0.487

The Results

Significant relationship between specifications of remote work and supply/supply chains (R²=71.5%).

Remote work specifications emphasize off-site work, flexibility, cooperation, technology use, management control, and organizing relationships.

Supply chains develop via innovation, diversification, rapid needs fulfillment, digital transformation, and redesign.

Significant relationship between equipment of remote work environment and supply/supply chains (R²=74.6%).

Equipment relates to balance of life/work, leadership, satisfaction, and productivity.

Supply chains rely on trust, redesign, social responsibility, and governance.

Significant relationship between capabilities/skills of employees and supply/supply chains (R²=77.6%).

Capabilities include cooperation, balance life/work, cultural fit, virtual communication, and handling overload.

Supply chains depend on green initiatives, harmony, integration, simplicity, and added value.

The Recommendations

Build an HR strategy for remote work with clear procedures and job descriptions.

Implement an efficient supply chain strategy aligned with remote work.

Design remote work to stress flexibility, cooperation, technology use, management control, and organized relationships.

Create a supportive remote work environment balancing life/work, leadership guidance, satisfaction, productivity, and technical/administrative readiness.

Develop employees’ remote work skills to manage balance, culture/behavior fit, virtual communication, and workload.

Improve supply chain performance with modern techniques, innovation, speed, digital transformation, and redesign.

Strengthen trust with suppliers/customers, ensure redesign to meet needs, uphold social responsibility, and govern performance.

Promote green initiatives, harmony, integration, and simplicity in logistics, emphasizing added value.

Figure 2. Applied plan suggested by the researcher for remote work and supply/supply chains Future Research Attitudes

Effect of remote work method in providing public services on competitive ability: an applied study.

Effect of digital transformation in remote work on public service quality: an applied study.

Managing human resources in remote work and its effect on employee performance evaluation: an applied study.

Appendices & Questionnaire

Please indicate your opinion by marking one choice per statement.

Questionnaire items

Table Q. Questionnaire statements

Serial	Phrase	Strongly Agree	Agree	Undecided	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
1	Directorate defines easily-done remote work
2	Directorate defines the specifications of remote work
3	Directorate provides remote works for the employees
4	The remote work must be done with high technique
5	The remote work must be monitored by the responsible individuals
6	The remote work must be done at predetermined times
7	The remote work is related to a certain size of productivity
8	Directorate has technical infrastructure suitable for the remote work
9	Directorate must provide the employees with suitable computers for remote work
10	Directorate should have regulations organizing the remote work
11	Directorate must have electronic platforms for monitoring the remote work
12	Directorate should have maintenance program for the remote work equipment
13	Directorate must have specialists in managing remote work environment
14	Directorate must continuously update the remote work infrastructure
15	Directorate develops the skills of the employees of the remote work
16	Directorate provides the employees with training courses to sharpen their skills
17	Directorate develops the job description cards for the remote work employees
18	Directorate motivates the excellent employees
19	Directorate designs annual training plan for the remote work skills
20	Directorate organizes workshops & brainstorming sessions to exchange expertise in remote work
21	Directorate measures the job satisfaction level in the remote work
22	Directorate prepares clear measures to manage supply and storage
23	Directorate establishes strong relationships with outstanding suppliers
24	Suppliers are committed to all specifications required in purchasing
25	Supply chains are flexible and respond quickly to updates
26	Directorate is transparent in providing data related to supply process
27	Supply measures are fast and appropriate
28	Directorate provides products/services easily through suitable networks
29	Directorate measures customers’ and distributors’ satisfaction toward supply chain
30	Decisions on supply and supply chains are made easily and with flexibility
31	Directorate exchanges communications and information with suppliers easily
32	Directorate considers institutional governance dimensions in supply chains
33	Directorate achieves social responsibility in supply chains
34	Methods of managing supply chains cope with unexpected crises
35	Directorate uses techniques in managing supply and supply chains
36	Directorate trains employees on latest methods of managing supply and supply chains

Open questions: impressions and suggestions toward remote work; impressions and suggestions toward supply and supply chains in the directorate.

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