The theory of M-ideals and
multiplier mappings of Banach spaces naturally generalizes to left (or right) M-ideals
and multiplier mappings of operator spaces. These subspaces and mappings are
intrinsically characterized in terms of the matrix norms. In turn this is used to prove
that the algebra of left adjointable mappings of a dual operator space X is a
von Neumann algebra. If in addition X is an operator A–B-bimodule for
C∗-algebras A and B, then the module operations on X are automatically weak∗
continuous. One sided L-projections are introduced, and analogues of various
results from the classical theory are proved. An assortment of examples is
considered.