Most 'basic' job apps that do ask for a reference name and phone, usually do not actually call them. If they do it is generally hard to jog the memory of someone, unless they have an impecable Human Resource Department. I am not suggesting that you staple 14 reference to a general basic application, there is no need for it. Companies that give out general basic apps are not truly concerned with "real" references. I am talking about your curriculum vitae and your professional resume.
A written reference works very well for a job reference or a school/professors reference. When someone is reviewing a resume, the resume that is the most streamline and easiest to discern the information from the easiest is usually the candidate that is given more priority.
Given that job turnover is so high in most all places, written references really do make the job alot easier for the person giving them consideration. It is a painstaking and timeconsuming task to make numerous phone calls and go through many people to find someone at a company who may remember you or to find your employment file, which after your employment gets filed away, to get a simple answer of yes that you were employed such and such dates. The written reference is much more personal and alleviates alot of problems down the line and shows forethought on your part. It is not just for academics.
This is from my own personal experience, as 1) a Human Resource manager and 2) a person who had quite a few jobs and with high turnover, there were not people who I actually worked with left at the company, therefore, there was no reference AT ALL to get.
