Mackey algebras which are Gorenstein (Q2180608)

This article addresses a problem in the literature of whether a Mackay algebra is Gorenstein. Given a finite group \(G\) and a commutative ring of coefficients \(R\), the Mackey algebra \(\mu_R(G)\) introduced in [\textit{J. Thévenaz} and \textit{P. Webb}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 347, No. 6, 1865--1961 (1995; Zbl 0834.20011)] is a finite-rank free \(R\)-algebra whose representations form precisely the category of Mackey functors for \(G\) with \(R\)-coefficients. The main result of the paper is that \(\mu_\mathbb{Z}(G)\) is Gorenstein if and only if the order of \(G\) is square-free, in which case the Gorenstein (injective) dimension is 1. This result contradicts an unchallenged claim in the area, namely, Lemma 2.2 of [\textit{J. P. C. Greenlees}, J. Pure Appl. Algebra 81, No. 1, 17--38 (1992; Zbl 0757.19001)], which says that the projective Mackey functors of any finite group have injective dimension 1. The second main result of the paper is that \(\mu_R(G)\) is Gorenstein of (injective) dimension \(n\) if and only if the order of \(G\) is square-free and \(R\) is Gorenstein of (injective) dimension \(n\). The authors finish the paper giving an example of a Mackey algebra, where \(G\) has order not square free (in fact, it can be either \(C_2 \times C_2\) or the Klein group), and show that the algebra is not of Gorenstein dimension 1.