On PP-Endomorphism Rings

Abstract A characterization is given of when all kernels (respectively images) of endomorphisms of a module are direct summands, a necessary condition being that the endomorphism ring itself is a left (respectively right) PP-ring. This result generalizes theorems of Small, Lenzing and Colby-Rutter and shows that R is left hereditary if and only if the endomorphism ring of every injective left module is a right PP-ring.