Territory Of Serbia Research Articles

Factors important for achieving the competitiveness of industrial and agroindustrial products

The subject of research in this paper is the business success of an organization aimed at assessing selected factors relevant to creating sustainable competitiveness of industrial and agroindustrial products in the target market. The research was conducted on the basis of a specially designed questionnaire on a sample of one hundred organizations operating on the territory of Serbia. The premise is that the factors that affect the competitiveness of industrial and agroindustrial products of different organizations have different effects on the results of their business activities and the perception of their importance for improving the quality of business. Numerous factors determine the level of competitiveness of products of organizations, which imposes the need for the evaluation and adaptation of the existing business concept to the arising changes. Namely, relevant analyses show that national organizations cannot be competitive if they do not meet the key requirement - the production of quality products in accordance with the standards of the modern world market, as indicators of the current situation show. The methods used in this research are the hypothetical deductive, the analytical-deductive and the comparative method, the historical and the statistical-descriptive method, and the method of comparative statistics (ch2 test, ANOVA). The results of the research show that the key factors for increasing the level of competitiveness of industrial and agroindustrial products of domestic organizations are competitive price, good design, high functionality, fast service, quality marketing, etc.

Block-type military balneum in Timacum Minus its spatial arrangement, social impacts, and architectural analogies

The remains of a Roman bath are situated northeast of the remains of the Timacum Minus castrum. The discovered building is small in size, with a total area of about 242 m?. According to the specific layout of rooms, with a reduced spatial organization of its plan, the building belongs to the reduced block-type of military small baths - balneae. In the territory of Serbia, no military balneae of this type have been discovered so far, which are otherwise common for border areas throughout the Roman Empire. The specific spatial relationship between the individual rooms and the characteristic building forms registered in the building plan indicate that the origin of the architecture of the military balneum in Timacum Minus should be associated with the Roman architecture of the balneae that belong to the villae rusticae in Central Europe.

BOOK REVIEW Paul Nanu and Emilia Ivancu (Eds.) Limba română ca limbă străină. Metodologie și aplicabilitate culturală. Turun yliopisto, 2018. Pp. 1-169. ISBN: 978-951-29-7035-3 (Print) ISBN: 978-951-29-7036-0 (PDF).

BOOK REVIEW Paul Nanu and Emilia Ivancu (Eds.) Limba română ca limbă străină. Metodologie și aplicabilitate culturală. Turun yliopisto, 2018. Pp. 1-169. ISBN: 978-951-29-7035-3 (Print) ISBN: 978-951-29-7036-0 (PDF).

Motorization rate in Serbia, Republic of Srpska, Federation of BiH, Montenegro and North Macedonia

Motorization rate is defined in two ways. The first definition says that the degree of motorization is the number of inhabitants per passenger car while the second definition represents motorization rate as the number of passenger cars per 1000 inhabitants. As absolute saturation limit, 500 passenger cars per 1000 inhabitants are taken. This paper analyzes motorization rate for local government units in the territory of Serbia, Republic of Srpska, Federation of BiH and Montenegro. The number of inhabitants and the number of registered passenger cars were collected. In addition, the analysis was done for countries and entities. Also, the data has been collected for Northern Macedonia as a state. A comparison of the results obtained with other European and individual world countries for 2017 was made.

Fumonisins in Serbian Corn: Long-time Assessment under Actual Climate Change Conditions

Maize samples collected in Serbia during a period of seven years were investigated on the presence of fumonisins. Concentration of fumonisins was determined by validated direct competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay method. This method was in accordance with European Union requirements, therefore accredited and performed in the Serbian accredited official laboratory. Summary analysis of all obtained results revealed fumonisins contamination in 82% of the total of 291 maize samples with average contamination being 1.515 mg/kg. An increase in the percentage of contaminated samples (from 51 to 100%), as well as an increase in mean fumonisin concentration in positive samples (from 0.227 to 3.281 mg/kg) and median values in positive samples (from 0.070 to 2.140 mg/kg) was noticed during the observation period. Although in Serbia there is no regular control of fumonisins in corn for animal feeding, long-term results indicate their wide distribution in this grain. Since the data on climate elements show change in temperature and precipitation in relation to multiannual average on the territory of Serbia, further research on the effects of climate change on the development of mold, the appearance of insects and the production of toxins are necessary in order to check the resistance of currently grown hybrids in the territory of Serbia on fungal growth and fumonisins production.

Effects of calcareous and serpentinite parent material on the mineral characteristics of soils and plant material of Teucrium montanum L. (Lamiaceae)

The objective of this study was to determine eco-edaphic characteristics and influence of different substrates on mineral characteristics of facultative serpentinophyte. The total concentration of 20 elements Al, As, B, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Se, and Zn in soil samples and aboveground parts of medicinal plant species Teucrium montanum from various calcareous and serpentinite habitats in the territory of Serbia was determined. The concentration of the elements was established by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry-ICP-OES. The obtained results showed that the quantities of certain elements Al, As, B, Ca, Cd, Cu, K, Li, P, Se, and Zn were detected more in the soil samples from calcareous habitats in comparison to the quantities of other metals Co, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, which were more frequently found in the soil samples from the serpentinite habitats. Analyzed plant samples from calcareous habitats contained higher concentrations of Al, Ca, Li, and Zn as opposed to serpentinite containing higher concentrations of Co, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, and Se. Examined species can accumulate macro- and microelements in different quantities, depending on the substrate type. Differences in the concentration of certain elements in the soil samples and aboveground parts of the T. montanum from calcareous and serpentinite habitats indicate significant phenotypic plasticity of the investigated species as well as the existence of specific serpentinite ecotypes developed by the activity of various edaphic factors.

Investigating levels of organic contaminants in Danube River sediments in Serbia by multi–ratio equilibrium passive sampling

The Danube River is a large transboundary river with many tributaries. Pollution from industries, municipal wastewater and navigation is discharged into the river directly or via its tributaries. These discharges can adversely contribute to the water and sediment quality, posing a risk to aquatic life. Contaminants with low water solubility tend to accumulate in suspended solids, which deposit in riverbed sediments. Subsequently, their levels in sediment represent a time integrated sample indicating the pollution in the watercourse. However, total concentrations in sediment do not directly represent the exposure risk to aquatic life as accumulation in sediment heavily depends on its properties, i.e. the amount of organic material and its composition, which is difficult to characterize as any natural material. To provide contaminant concentrations on a defined basis, surface layer riverbed sediment samples collected at eleven locations along the Danube stretch in the territory of Serbia in 2012, were ex-situ (in the laboratory) equilibrated with silicone passive samplers of constant accumulative properties, using the multi-ratio equilibrium passive sampling approach. Contaminant's equilibrium concentrations in passive samplers are mutually comparable in time and space and are better measure for bioavailability than total sediment concentrations. Uptake in the passive sampler converted to equivalent freely dissolved (pore-) water concentrations agreed well with those obtained from surface water passive sampling carried out within the Joint Danube Survey 3 in 2013. Furthermore, equilibrium passive sampler PCB concentrations, converted to lipid-based concentrations, agreed well with concentrations measured in fish sampled in the Danube several years earlier. Out of eleven priority substances, only fluoranthene exceeded the EU EQS in water, while the EQS for biota was exceeded or approached for fluoranthene and benz[a]pyrene, and hexachlorobenzene.

Genetic structure of wild raspberry populations in the Central Balkans depends on their location and on their relationship to commercial cultivars

The red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) is one of the most important fruit species in Serbia; there are currently approximately 11000 ha under cultivation. Wild red raspberry populations can be an important source of genes for breeding new raspberry varieties. This study was carried out to determine the genetic variability of wild populations, as well as their relationship with the most common cultivated cultivars using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. In this study were included 128 individuals from seven wild populations and seven cultivar specimens from a nursery ('Mekeer', 'Willamette', 'Polka', 'Polana', 'Loganberry', 'Tayberry', 'Black Jewel'). Four AFLP combinations yielded a total of 247 polymorphic bands in 135 R. idaeus specimens. Analysis of AFLP markers showed that the cultivars are clearly distinct from wild populations. Population P4 (Mt. Ozren) had the highest gene diversity, the highest number of private markers and the highest rarity index. Analysis of molecular variance among and within wild populations showed that the most of the genetic diversity was attributable to differences between individuals within populations. A Mantel test showed that differences in altitude play the crucial role in structuring of the genetic diversity of red raspberry populations. Altitude contributed more to the population differentiation than spatial distance. Populations of wild raspberry from the territory of Serbia are characterized by high diversity, and should be protected and used as a resource in selection and breeding processes for the production of new varieties, with improved properties in terms of better yield and stronger resistance to external factors.

Factors associated with driving under the influence of alcohol

Objective: This study examined the risk factors of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) among drivers of specific vehicle categories (DSC). On the basis of this research, the variables related to DUI and involvement in traffic crashes were defined. The analysis was conducted for car drivers, bicyclists, motorcyclists, bus drivers, and truck drivers.Method: The research sample included drivers involved in traffic crashes on the territory of Serbia in 2016 (60,666). Two types of analyses were conducted in this study. Logistic regression established the correlation between DUI and DSC and the The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (Multi-criteria decision making) method was applied to consider the scoring and explore the potential for the prevalence of DUI on the basis of 2 data sets (DUI and non DUI).Results: The study results showed that driver error and male drivers were the 2 most significant risk factors for DUI, with the highest scores and potential for prevalence. The nonuse of restraint systems, driver experience, and driver age are the factors with a significant prediction of involvement in an accident and an insignificant prediction of DUI.Conclusions: Following the development of the logistic prediction models for DUI drivers, testing of the model was conducted for 3 control driver groups: Car, motorcycle, and bicycle. The prediction model with a probability greater than 50% showed that 77% of car drivers were under the influence of alcohol. Similarly, the prediction percentage for motorcyclists and bicyclists amounted to 71 and 67%, respectively. The recommendation of the study is that drivers whose DUI probability is above 50% should be potentially suspected of DUI. The results of this study can help to understand the problem of DUI among specific driver categories and detect DUI drivers, with the aim of creating successful traffic safety policy.

The first Neanderthal specimen from Serbia: Maxillary first molar from the Late Pleistocene of Pešturina Cave

Neanderthals were the only human group in Europe throughout the Late Pleistocene until the arrival of modern humans, and while their presence has been confirmed in the surrounding regions, no Neanderthal fossils are known to date from the Central Balkans. Systematic excavations of Pešturina Cave (Serbia) resulted in the discovery of a permanent right M1 (Pes-3). The specimen was recovered from stratigraphic Layer 4b with an estimated age of 102.4 ± 3.2 ka, associated with Mousterian artifacts. The exceptional state of preservation and minimal wear of the molar enabled a detailed description and comparative analysis of the inner and outer dental structure, including non-metric dental traits and morphometric features of the crown, roots, and dental tissues. The results of this study strongly support the identification of Pes-3 as Neanderthal. Non-metric traits of the occlusal surface of the crown, enamel-dentine junction, and roots are consistent with Neanderthal morphology. The crown shows morphometric features typical for Neanderthal M1, such as a buccolingually skewed crown shape, internally compressed cusps, and a relatively large hypocone. The specimen also shows Neanderthal-like dental tissue proportions, characterized by relatively thin enamel and large coronal dentine and coronal pulp volumes. The discovery of the Pes-3 molar therefore confirms the presence of Neanderthals in the territory of Serbia and the Central Balkans at the end of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5c.

Impact of HRM Practices on Job Satisfaction of Employees in Serbian Banking Sector

Research Question: The study aims to identify the level of effectiveness in Human Resource Management (HRM) and its impact on employees’ satisfaction in the banking sector of Serbia. Motivation:The aim of this research is to measure the satisfaction of employees in the banking sector of Serbia. In addition to the overall goal of this study, it is necessary to list some specific objectives: ​​to provide human resource management (HRM) analysis, to focus on the main dimensions of HRM in practice, to present a test for measuring employee satisfaction in practice, to identify weaknesses in management that affect employee satisfaction and to propose measures to improve employee satisfaction and increase motivation. The research attempts to point out the basic driving factors for better work and effects, as common motives for all workers, such as salary, job interest, the opportunity of further progress, the degree of autonomy in the performance of tasks, and the possibility of personal affirmation. The challenge that puts the management of human resources and its application into practice becomes a very relevant field of inquiry. It is important to know the answer to the research question in order to arrive at a response to whether or not to comply with Pareto optimum: “When we know where and why we are headed, little things can point us to the right direction” (Debreu, 1954). The novelty in the study is that some aspects (career improvement and job security) bring employees a greater degree of satisfaction, while others (salary and business climate) are rated as bringing significantly lower levels of satisfaction. The work is based on the applied Kruger study (Kruger et al., 2008). It is used for research, because in this specific case it makes it possible to collect the results of mortgage execution on a sample of employees of 10 banks, whose results would be useful at the level of the banking sector in Serbia. Idea: The basic idea of this paper is to evaluate different levels of employee satisfaction with different dimensions of quality of work in banking institutions. The study involves analyzing the level of satisfaction from the aspect of selection and selection of employees, job security, employee salaries, career advancement, professional training and professional development, management style, job responsibilities, awards and recognitions and, finally, business climate as key dependent variables. The key independent variables are gender, age, education and length of service, as demographic characteristics of the respondents. Data: The analysis was carried out through a questionnaire sent to the employees of the bank. The target population is employed in the banking sector on the territory of Serbia. Among the different banks, this study takes into account ten banks. 93 questionnaires were available for statistical analysis. Tools: Statistical analysis of all collected data (Z-test, correlation analysis) were used to draw conclusions about relationships between variables, specifically what employees start in the organization. With the help of the Pierson correlation coefficient, statistical significance is determined, which shows motivational effects in the behavior of employees. Findings: The findings revealed a high level of effectiveness of all HRM practices. A strong positive relationship has been identified between the effectiveness of HRM and employees’ satisfaction. The study recommended improving financial compensation system of banks, which would positively increase the level of employees’ satisfaction. Contribution: This paper expands the existing research related to the developing employee motivation in the banking sector and formulates practical suggestions for increasing motivation and avoiding its relativization. Promoting transparency and publicity and an effective system of rewards, compensation and salaries according to merit and contribution to work tasks should be promoted. It is possible to achieve a business climate by respecting the individuality and dignity of each employee, and thus to build trust among employees and loyalty to the institution.

The Baroque Artistic Legacy of Confraternities in the Croatian Franciscan Province of Sts. Cyril and Methodius

During the 17th and 18th centuries, confraternities in continental Croatia acted as commissioners of art—altar sculpture, paintings, and liturgical furnishings—but their overall contribution to the visual and cultural identity of this area has been less thoroughly researched than the confraternities’ legacy in Adriatic Croatia. Thus, the aim of this essay is to offer insight into the significant heritage of lay confraternities in the Croatian Franciscan Province of Sts. Cyril and Methodius. Essential facts about the history of the foundations and the activities of the confraternities in this Franciscan Province may be obtained by collecting data presented in a series of important publications on the friaries and churches of the Province by Friar Paškal Cvekan. Based partially on his studies of the archives in Franciscan conventual houses from Trsat and Zagreb in the territory of Croatia, to Bač and Subotica in the territory of Serbia, and complemented by my own archival and on-site research, this essay provides a topographic overview of the confraternities’ achievements in art patronage in the Province. The discussion of the patrons, artists, and workshops, as well as the stylistic identity and iconography of individual works, reveals significant new aspects of the religious and artistic heritage of Northwest Croatia.

PAHs in different honeys from Serbia

ABSTRACTMaximum limits for PAHs content in honey and bee products are not set. The objective of this study was to conduct a market survey of honey for the presence of PAH16 with the aim of detecting potential contamination and health risks for consumers. A total number of 61 honey samples produced in the territory of Serbia were examined. The content of PAH16 was measured using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometric method. Large values were found in some samples: 140.6 µg/kg for chrysene, 136.3 µg/kg for benzo[ghi]perylene, 120.1 µg/kg for benzo[a]pyrene, 87.2 µg/kg for benz[a]anthracene and 79.6 µg/kg for benzo[k]fluoranthene. It was established that 6.6% honey samples were not safe for human consumption because of high benzo[a]pyrene and PAH4 content, which greatly exceeded the maximum limits for all food categories. Considering that screening of honey obtained from the market does not allow accurate detection of the contamination origin requires further investigations to identify potential contamination sources.

Flaviviruses at the territory of Serbia – present situation and challenges

The aim of this study is to summarize the data on the occurrence, presence and prevalence of some zoonotic flaviviruses, which have been actively circulating in the territory of the Republic of Serbia during past decade. The genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae,encompasses vector-transmitted viruses with zoonotic potential. The genus is comprised of more than 70 viruses transmitted to humans by mosquitoes and ticks. Some of those are associated only with human diseases (such as yellow fever and dengue fever), whereas others can cause diseases in both humans and animals. Animals are major reservoirs and primary hosts for the latter group. The virus transmission to other animal species or humans occurs via diverse vectors – mostly mosquitoes and ticks. A range of these virus species is widely distributed worldwide, especially in tropical and sub-tropical climatic zones. Some representatives of these species have only recently been identified at the territory of Republic of Serbia. This paper gives an evidence on the presence and distribution of West-Nile virus, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus and Usutu virus that were conducted within the study in Serbia. The research pointed out the presence of recently detected West-Nile virus and Usutu virus as well as the current circulation of tick-borne encephalitis virus, for which only limited serological evidence on the presence of virus-specific antibodies in humans was available so far. In the aspect of public health, the full understanding of the importance of identification and prevalence of different flaviviruses still require further comprehensive entomologicalacarological, seroepidemiological, clinical and virological research.

Y chromosome genetic data defined by 23 short tandem repeats in a Serbian population on the Balkan Peninsula

Background: Serbs mainly live in the territory of the recently re-established state of Serbia. However, the turbulent history in the Balkan Peninsula has led to settlement of Serbs not only within present day Serbia, but also in different parts of neighbouring countries.Aim: To define polymorphisms of 23 Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci in a modern Serbian population from the central part of the Balkan Peninsula.Subjects and methods: The reference sample consisted of 303 men declared as Serbs over three generations. Localities of the collected materials include the territories of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro. DNA samples were typed using the PowerPlex®Y23 amplification kit.Results: The highest locus diversity was observed for DYS385 and DYS481. In this study the most abundant haplogroups were I2a, E1b1b, R1a and I1. The largest genetic distances between the Serbs and other close Southern Slavs were for the Macedonians and Slovenians.Conclusion: This study is the first one to define STR polymorphism of Serbian people not only from Serbia but also from other parts of the Balkan Peninsula. The presented genetic data may be useful in further examinations of the genesis and genetic structuring of the present-day Serbian gene pool.

Rediscovering old finds? Notes on the Bronze Age graves with amber in Western Serbia

e study is the result of rechecking details of funerary practices in the Bronze Age of Western Serbia. Potential presence of amber in grave inventories provided an impetus to examine burial contexts and ways how exotic goods reached the innermost parts of the Balkan Peninsula. Arrival of the first amber artefacts at the territory of Serbia is connected with the Middle Bronze Age, which is later than the earliest finds of the Baltic amber in south Europe and the Mediterranean. e sites with amber artefacts are neither numerous nor with even spatial distribution. e region of Western Serbia stands out from the rest of the broader zone because of its early excavated and early dated amber finds. In all of the cases, the amber finds have funerary context. Focal point of the study is on the rediscovered amber find from the necropolis in Stapari and its context. Based on the data from the documentation and publications, it is not very likely that the necropolis in Stapari can be defined as a flat one. All regional characteristics of synchronous funerary practices must be taken into consideration along with the state of preservation of the site in the 20th century. Consequently, the necropolis can be added to the large group of tumular necropolises, which comprised necropolis in Vranjani, which was analysed as well, due to a problematic amber find. Recent analyses confirmed the Baltic provenance of the amber from the West Morava basin, but contribution to at least partial reconstruction of regional routes which brought the material to this part of the Central Balkans has additional importance. e region settled by the bearers of the Belegiš culture, which was suspected to have served as a starting point for regional trade southwards, provided the first amber find with settlement context.

Invazivne biljne vrste u organskim usevima u Vojvodini

Based on the review of long-term studies (2008-2015) of weed flora in various organic crops in Vojvodina (cabbage, lettuce, soybean, onion, carrots, maize, marigold, dill, buckwheat, potato, basil, lucerne), a total of 88 plant species were found, 53 (60%) of which are alien (non-native). By analyzing the invasiveness status of alien taxa according to different categorizations, we highlight the presence of 14 invasive alien species (9 neophytes; 5 archeophytes). The presence of 4 taxa, considered invasive according to all of the categorizations analyzed, stands out: Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Conyza canadensis, Erigeron annuus and Galinsoga parviflora.However, according to the databases of invasive plants in the territory of Serbia, 6 more species, are considered invasive, namely: Amaranthus retroflexus, Datura stramonium, Echinochloa crus-galli, Portulaca oleracea, Sorghum halepense and Veronica persica, of which only E. crus-galli is categorized as highly invasive. Of all the taxa that are considered highly invasive in Serbia, only A. artemisiifolia (58%) and E. crus-galli (33%) are present in organic crops with a higher frequency of occurrence, meaning that the organic crops in Vojvodina currently do not represent the main refuge for these species. However, due to their exceptional ability to rapidly spread and occupy new spaces, continuous research of invasive plants is needed, not only of those which are categorized as such in Serbia, but also of those which are considered as invasive in the wider European region.

Osobine ličnosti i kupovne vrednosne dimenzije kod tradicionalnih i kupaca koji kupuju putem interneta

This study was aimed to investigate relationship among Big five personality traits and shopping values of traditional and online shoppers. The sample consists of 193 respondents, the average age of 33 years, living on the territory of Serbia. The questionnaires that were used were: Serbian adaptation of IPIP 50 Scale (Goldberg, 1992), the Scale of hedonistic and utilitarian purchasing value dimensions (Babin, Darden, Griffin, 1994), as well as a questionnaire that measures demographic characteristics (gender and age). Data analysis is performed in the statistical program SPSS and the results have shown that personality traits - extraversion and emotional stability predict hedonistic shopping value dimensions, while consciousness and intellect significantly predict utilitarian ones (shopping values). We have also found that traditional customers achieve statistically significant more results on the dimension of the extraversion and hedonistic purchasing value dimension and lower results on the dimension of emotional stability than online buyers. The obtained results were discussed according to available scientific literature.

Utilization of geothermal springs as a renewable energy source: Vranjska Banja case study

Despite the significant natural potential, geothermal energy in Serbia has traditionally been used in balneology and recreation, while its share in the country?s total energy balance is almost negligible (0.05%). The present paper deals with the City Municipality of Vranjska Banja as a pioneer in the territory of Serbia in using geothermal energy for heating. The concept and methodology of the present research are directly related to the utilization of geothermal resources for district heating in the Vranjska Banja area. The presented analysis includes: determining the available amount of energy, identifying the energy needs of selected public facilities, and the estimation of investment necessary for energy utilization. A survey, combined with field research, is focused on four public facilities connected to the heating system relying on geothermal sources, as well as on two facilities that should be connected to the system in the next phases. The results show economic, ecological, and technological advantages of using geothermal heating systems, as well as the acceptable price of equipment maintenance. An economic assessment of the transition of one facility from the existing heating system to a system relying on geothermal energy has also been made. The analysis confirms the cost-effectiveness of using geothermal energy and reveals numerous ecological advantages (safe heating, absence of CO2 emission) over other energy sources.

Izazovi zdravstvenog zadrugarstva na teritoriji Srbije 1918-1949

Health cooperatives represented a historic turning point in the organization of the health care system in the territory of Serbia. The idea of establishing such a subsystem for the provision of healthcare services came as early as 1901 through the work of agricultural cooperatives. The concept could not be realized immediately (although there was the will of all interest groups) due to the Balkan Wars, and later the First World War. The first health care cooperatives were inaugurated in 1921, and since then until the beginning of the Second World War, they have had great success in their work. Health cooperatives were prevented from funding during the Second World War, but were re-established in that form and continued to work until 1949. Different challenges were faced by the organizers of healthcare cooperatives, both in the establishment itself, as well as within the framework of finance, legislation, resistance provided by trade guilds, resistance of the medical chamber and pharmacy wholesalers. The study of ethnomedicine was advanced during the period of work of health cooperatives and was subsequently continued. The challenge was the bad public health picture that was found after the First World War. The need for additional research in the field of ethnomedicine speaks of numerous literature, as well as of the necessity of medical enlightenment of the population. These and other challenges are discussed in the paper, and what needs to be emphasized is the success that health cooperatives have had despite all the aggravating circumstances they faced. This work is of importance to medical historians, creators of modern health policy, public health experts, educational and professional institutions. The aim of this paper is to examine how health care cooperatives work and how to respond to organizational, financial and public health challenges. Of importance is the research of this area, which is rarely mentioned in the literature of the last decades. One of the goals is also to consider the answers that health cooperatives had on these challenges and in the context of the development of the modern health system.