Fixed point and maximal element theorems with applications to abstract economies and minimax inequalities ✩,✩✩

In this paper, we establish some fixed point theorems for a family of multivalued maps under mild conditions. By using our fixed point theorems, we derive some maximal element theorems for a particular family of multivalued maps, namely the Φ-condensing multivalued maps. As applications of our results, we prove some general equilibrium existence theorems in the generalized abstract economies with preference correspondences. Further applications of our results are also given to minimax inequalities for a family of functions.  2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.