The most important reason that corporations developed in Western Europe and were not formed in the Middle Eastern countries was

A) type of business
B) religious differences
C) transportation system
D) stages of economic development

Religious differences played a significant role in the development of corporations in Western Europe compared to the Middle Eastern countries. In Western Europe, the legal and cultural frameworks supported the growth of corporations, partly influenced by Christian views on commerce and organization. In contrast, Islamic law and cultural practices in the Middle East had different approaches to commerce, interest, and collective business entities, which affected the development of corporate structures in those regions.