Group algebras in which the socle of the center is an ideal

Abstract

Let $F$ be a field of characteristic $p>0$. We study the structure of the finite groups $G$ for which the socle of the center of $FG$ is an ideal in $FG$ and classify the finite $p$-groups $G$ with this property. Moreover, we give an explicit description of the finite groups $G$ for which the Reynolds ideal of $FG$ is an ideal in $FG$.