A Classification of the Stable Type of $BG$

Abstract

We give a classification of the $p$--local stable homotopy type of $BG$, where $G$ is a finite group, in purely algebraic terms. $BG$ is determined by conjugacy classes of homomorphisms from $p$--groups into $G$. This classification greatly simplifies if $G$ has a normal Sylow $p$--subgroup; the stable homotopy types then depends only on the Weyl group of the Sylow $p$--subgroup. If $G$ is cyclic mod $p$ then $BG$ determines $G$ up to isomorphism. The last class of groups is important because in an appropriate Grothendieck group $BG$ can be written as a unique linear combination of $BH$'s, where $H$ is cyclic mod $p$.