Lallement functor is a weak right multiadjoint (Q7007032)

\textit{A. H. Clifford} [Ann. Math. (2) 42, 1037--1049 (1941; Zbl 0063.00920)] investigated semigroups that could be decomposed into semilattices of groups, employing inductive systems of homomorphisms over a semilattice to address the composition problem, which is called \textit{Clifford's construction}. The work of Clifford was generalized in several directions. \textit{J. Płonka} [Fundam. Math. 61, 183--189 (1967; Zbl 0168.26701)] introduced a new construction in universal algebra, which is closely related to the classical notion of inductive limit of an inductive system of algebras relative to a directed preorder. Specifically, for a sup-semilattice inductive system of algebras, he defined its sum, later called the \textit{Płonka sum}, establishing by means of the notion of partition function of the underlying set of an algebra without 0-ary operations that the correspondence between partition functions and representations as the sum of a sup-semilattice inductive system of algebras is one-to-one. Another generalization of Clifford's construction was given by \textit{G. Lallement} [Ann. Mat. Pura Appl. (4) 77, 47--129 (1967; Zbl 0186.03302)], who defined the sum of a semilattice ordered system of semigroups by using a not necessarily transitive system of homomorphisms over a semilattice. \textit{Lallement sums} of direct systems of algebras are applied to several algebraic theories, including semigroup theory and semiring theory. These investigations were further pursued, among others, by \textit{A. B. Romanowska} and \textit{J. D. H. Smith} [Czech. Math. J. 41(116), No. 1, 24--43 (1991; Zbl 0793.08010); Res. Expo. Math. 19, 123--158 (1992; Zbl 0802.08001; Modal theory. An algebraic approach to order, geometry, and convexity. Lemgo: Heldermann Verlag (1985; Zbl 0553.08001); Modes. Singapore: World Scientific (2002; Zbl 1012.08001)].\N\NThis paper conducts a category-theoretic analysis of the Lallement sum, specifically showing\N\begin{itemize}\N\item[(1)] that the Lallement construction is a functor, and\N\item[(2)] that the functor is a weak right multiadjoint.\N\end{itemize}\NThe relationship between the Płonka functor and the Lallement functor is finally investigated.