This research investigated the impact of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) characteristics, institutional environments, and entrepreneurial competitiveness on the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Oman, with a focus on exploring the mediating role of entrepreneurial competitiveness. The study employed quantitative methods to analyze data collected from a sample of 351 SMEs operating in Oman. The results revealed that CEO relational capital and polychronicity positively influenced entrepreneurial competitiveness, which in turn significantly impacted SME performance. Moreover, the institutional and regulatory environment emerged as a key determinant of entrepreneurial competitiveness and SME performance. The findings highlight the importance of fostering a conducive institutional environment to support SME growth and innovation. The mediation analysis further demonstrated the mediating role of entrepreneurial competitiveness in transmitting the effects of CEO characteristics and institutional environments on SME performance. This study contributes to both theoretical understanding and practical implications for policymakers, practitioners, and entrepreneurs seeking to foster SME development and economic diversification in Oman and similar emerging markets.

Keywords: SME, Relational Capital, Polychronicity, Competitiveness, Performance, Institutional and Regulatory Environment, Oman