We construct a category equivalent to the category $\mathbf{ Mon}$ of monoids and monoid homomorphisms, based on categories with strict factorization systems. This equivalence is then extended to the category $\mathbf{ Mon_s}$ of unital semigroups and semigroup homomorphisms. By introducing suitable natural transformations, we turn these equivalences into 2-equivalences between 2-categories. The 2-category $\mathbf{ Mon_s^2}$ constructed this way proves the good one to study Morita equivalence of monoids.
Categories: math.CT math.RA