Order preserving nonexpansive operators in \(L_ 1\) (Q1100718)

Operators T (not necessarily linear) which are order preserving and non- expansive on \(L_ 1\) (or \(L^+_ 1)\) are studied. It is first established that \(T^ nf\) converges in distribution if T decreases the \(L_{\infty}\)-norm. Again, assuming that T decreases the \(L_{\infty}\)- norm, the weak convergence in \(L^ p\) for the Cesaro averages of \(T^ nf\) is established for f in \(L_ p\). In this result \(1<p<\infty\) and if the measure is finite, \(p=1\) is permissable. This theorem should be compared to those of \textit{J. B. Baillon} [see C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris, Ser. A 280, 1511-1514 (1975; Zbl 0307.47006) and ibid., 286, 157-159 (1978; Zbl 0369.47030)]. Another class of operators is introduced which permits an instructive example to show that the Cesaro averages need not converge strongly.