Supply Chain Management in Hospitality Industry, pp. 57-71, 2018 Lj. Pilepić Stifanich, T. Car, M. Perišić Prodan: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TOOLS IN ... 57 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TOOLS IN HOSPITALITY SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT Ljubica Pilepić Stifanich Tomislav Car Marina Perišić Prodan Received 10 February 2018 Revised 26 March 2018 17 April 2018 Accepted 20 April 2018 Abstract Purpose – Information flows in the supply chain are a prerequisite for effective management, and successful performance is based on good connections between all the participants in the chain, regardless of communication levels. They are the basis for monitoring the flow of all logistics processes, but also for controlling them. The purpose of this paper is to consider the importance and role of information and to define the possibilities, assumptions and modalities of information technology (IT) tools in hospitality supply chain management. Methodology – Based on the relevant scientific literature, the paper compares individual IT tools, reviews the components of IT tools, and analyses the functionality of IT tools from the stakeholders’ point of view in supply chain management in hospitality. The paper points out the importance of IT in supply chain management and provides a sort of classification of modern technology solutions currently used in the supply chain through the conceptual model of IT tools in hospitality. Findings – Information exchange is a strategy for achieving compliance of all functions of the supply chain participants. All available information does not necessarily represent useful information. One of the most common difficulties in the effective use of available information is the ability to absorb, process and correctly evaluate the total amount of information available at a given time. Therefore, a conceptual model of IT tools and supply chain hospitality management is proposed, which would certainly encourage more efficient use of business information from the aspect of all stakeholders in the hospitality supply chain. Originality of the research – This paper represents scientifically based conclusions, suggesting concrete solutions and suggestions for increasing the efficiency of supply chain management in the hospitality industry with the use of modern information technologies. Keywords information technology, hospitality industry, supply chain management, information quality, information flows, information technology tools INTRODUCTION Supply chains represent systems of, in some way, connected organizations or people, activities, technologies, information and other resources in creating and transferring products and services from supplier to customer (Mesarić & Dujak 2009, 108). The supply chain is the core of any business. Most people attribute the supply chain to a large corporation, but every business has a supply chain, including hotel companies. The end result of every supply chain is always the customer and, in this case, the hotel guest. The problem with any supply chain is that it is only as strong as the links in the chain. If a link is weak then the supply chain breaks down. When this happens, it has an impact on customers who, in turn, can negatively affect the hotel’s business.