Introduction: Free, Mobile, and Useful—the Rise and Rise of QR Codes

Abstract

After the credit crunch and crash, the conventional truths, maxims, and assumptions about economic development, social justice, consumerism, citizenship, industrialization, post-industrialization and the “new economy” are in flux. Japanization—the long-term stagnation of economies—is spreading beyond the nation that gave its name to this deep, sustained, and troubling mode of financial crisis. Cities and regions already struggling before 2008 now have even fewer national resources to build foundational or remedial infrastructure. “Top down” policy initiatives from governments are confronting a severe shortage of capital. In the United Kingdom for example, regional development agencies have closed and public sector workers made redundant, in the hope that the private sphere will provide services for health, education, and libraries on the basis of volunteerism, philanthropy, and Prime Minister David Cameron’s “Big Society.” Small businesses are struggling with a decline in support services to enable entrepreneurism, local development, and consumer spending. Yet, with all this talk of decline, cuts, retraction, and loss, there is an innovative and creative opportunity to build a profile, marketing program, and strategy to develop customer loyalty. This application is free, easy to use, and provides local information just in time and at the right time for their customers.