A classical result states that all the irreducible representations of a finite group over $\mathbb{C}$ are characters if and only if $G$ is abelian. I would like to know what happens if we consider a field different from $\mathbb{C}$. Clearly as long as the field is algebraically closed and its characteristic does not divide $|G|$ the same conclusion holds. Furthermore, I have proved the following claim: ***Let $G$ be a finite group, and let $F$ be a field of characteristic not dividing $|G|$. Then all the irreducible representations of $G$ over $F$ are $1$-dimensional if and only if $G$ is an abelian group and $F$ has a primitive root of unity of order $\mathrm{exp}(G)$.*** > Is this a know result? Is there a reference to it? However, I am not sure what happens if the characteristic of $F$ divides $|G|$. For example, $S_3$ is a nonabelian group with all irreducible representations over $\mathbb{F}_3$ $1$-dimensional. One verifies that all the irreducible representations are characters if and only if the image of $G$ in $\mathrm{GL}_{|G|}(F)$ under the representation coming from the action of $G$ on itself can be simultaneously triangulated. This implies that again $F$ must have a primitive root of certain orders, and that $G$ must be solvable to say the least (it is embedded in the subgroup of upper triangular invertible matrices). In spite of that, I do not have a converse. > Is there a characterization (similar to those given above) of the > cases in which a finite group has only 1-dimensional irreducible > representations over a field $F$ of characteristic dividing $|G|$. Hasn't this question been addressed before? Both references and proofs are very much appreciated.