  Given a finite group $G$ and two unitary $G$-representations $V$ and $W$,
possible restrictions on Brouwer degrees of equivariant maps between
representation spheres $S(V)$ and $S(W)$ are usually expressed in a form of
congruences modulo the greatest common divisor of lengths of orbits in $S(V)$
(denoted $\alpha(V)$). Effective applications of these congruences is limited
by answers to the following questions: (i) under which conditions, is
${\alpha}(V)>1$? and (ii) does there exist an equivariant map with the degree
easy to calculate? In the present paper, we address both questions. We show
that ${\alpha}(V)>1$ for each irreducible non-trivial $C[G]$-module if and only
if $G$ is solvable. For non-solvable groups, we use 2-transitive actions to
construct complex representations with non-trivial ${\alpha}$-characteristic.
Regarding the second question, we suggest a class of Norton algebras without
2-nilpotents giving rise to equivariant quadratic maps, which admit an explicit
formula for the Brouwer degree.
