Completely bounded homomorphisms of the Fourier algebras (Q2566092)

For a locally compact group \(G\) its Fourier algebra is denoted by \(A(G)\) and \(B(G)\) is its Fourier-Stieltjes algebra. If \(G\) and \(H\) are locally compact groups, if \(G\) is amenable, and \(\Phi: A(G)\to B(H)\) is a completely bounded homomorphism it is shown that there exists a continuous piecewise affine map \(\alpha: Y\subset H\to G\) such that \(\Phi u(h)= u(\alpha(h))\) for \(u\in A(G)\) and \(h\in Y\), and \(\Phi u(h)= 0\) for \(u\in A(G)\) and \(h\not\in Y\). If \(\Phi\) is completely contractive then \(\alpha\) is affine, and \(\alpha\) is a homomorphism defined on an open subgroup if \(\Phi\) is completely positive. This generalizes an outstanding result of Cohen's from 1960. The assertion is not true in general, i.e. for non-amenable groups. Consequences are drawn.