540 KB0 KB201020262025Bernardus, DennyTanesia, Cindy YoelWhidya Utami, Christinaletnik:16številka:2Str. 19-39ISSN:1855-931XCOBISSID_HOST:260267011URN:URN:NBN:SI:doc-NAZYFGY1enGEA CollegeAdvances in business related scientific research journalentrepreneurial intentionentrepreneurial self-efficacyhigh-growth entrepreneurshipopportunity recognitionThe distorted path to high-growth entreprenurship| the complex role of high-growth entrepreneurial self-efficacy in generation Z|This study investigates the relationship between growth opportunity recognition, ambitious proactivity, and high-growth entrepreneurial intention, with high-growth entrepreneurial self-efficacy as a mediating variable. A digital survey of 400 Generation Z individuals who have taken entrepreneurship courses in higher education was analyzed using structural equation modelling (SEM) with AMOS 26. The findings reveal that ambitious proactivity significantly enhances both high-growth entrepreneurial selfefficacy and high-growth entrepreneurial intention. In contrast, growth opportunity recognition exhibits a complex dynamic—while it positively influences high-growth entrepreneurial self-efficacy, its direct effect on highgrowth entrepreneurial intention is negative, indicating that high-growth entrepreneurial self-efficacy functions as a distorter variable. This study highlights the complex interaction of psychological traits and opportunity recognition in shaping entrepreneurial ambition, offering new insights into high-growth entrepreneurship developmentTEXTznanstveno časopisjejournalsSlovenian National E-content AggregatorNational and University Library of SloveniaGEA College