Generalizations of Hopfian and co-Hopfian modules. (Q2575951)

Let \(R\) be a ring with identity element. A left \(R\)-module \(M\) is said to be `Hopfian' (resp. `co-Hopfian') if every surjective (resp. injective) endomorphism of \(M\) is an isomorphism. In this paper the author introduces and investigates the notions of `generalized co-Hopfian module', abbreviated GCH, and `weakly Hopfian module', abbreviated WH, as follows: a left \(R\)-module \(M\) is said to be GCH (resp. WH) if every essential injective (resp. small surjective) endomorphism of \(M\) is an isomorphism. Among others, it is proved that if \(M\) has DCC on essential submodules then \(M\) is GCH, and if \(M\) has ACC on small submodules then \(M\) is WH.