Abstract:

The thrust of the study is to examine how consolidated constructs of BOS, mediated by core competence, align with MSMEs’ competitiveness. Avalanche of growing researches in strategies and entrepreneurships, notwithstanding, literatures that relate BOS to MSMEs’ competitiveness are exiguously scanty; and while evidences abound that plethora of studies have been conducted in advanced countries in related areas, rarely could be said about MSMEs in the manufacturing and service spectrum in Nigeria. Cross-sectional research survey involving questionnaire is deplored to reach the sample size of 460 randomly selected from 4, 572 MSMEs’ owners and managers across the geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Mixed statistics of linear and multiple regressions including exponential smoothening are engaged to validate the hypotheses and study has strengthened evidence of mediating role of core competence between Blue Ocean Strategy and MSMEs competitiveness. Findings and implications for theory and research value are discussed.