'substantive shift' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing changes or developments that occur in a particular field, area, or context. For example, "The new economic policies have resulted in a substantive shift in the global energy market."
But evidence for a substantive shift in consumption habits is pretty slight, as this article by economists at the Center for American Progress suggests.
In other words, if anything, this week's appointments would seem to represent a continuation of the ideological course Mr. Obama has been following since before he took the oath of office, rather than any substantive shift in his worldview.
What began as a few dissidents questioning the pledge not to raise taxes that Norquist has championed over the past two decades — a pledge the vast majority of Republicans in both chambers have signed — is threatening to turn into something bigger: a substantive shift in policy, and a symbolic torching of outdated dogmas, with Grover on the top of the bonfire.
The late nineteenth century saw the beginning of a substantive shift in Canadian immigration patterns.
Then again, the high-profile case of an old man being sent to die in a concrete box might spark an even more substantive shift toward reform.
This strong showing was seen by many as an indicator of a larger and more substantive shift in U.S. regional engagement.
TWO well-known agencies based in New York are reorganizing in ways that are indicative of the substantive shifts taking place along Madison Avenue to try matching the pace of change in cyberspace and at client companies.
The changes are emblematic of the substantive shifts in the once-staid world of utilities as deregulation and competition require suppliers of natural gas, electricity and telephone service to vie for the attention of fickle consumers along with the purveyors of products like soft drinks, automobiles and fast food.
So, for example, if we want seriously to tackle social injustice or to make an ageing population an asset, not a burden, it will require a strong and consistent framework of policies, substantive shifts in social norms and expectations, and new ways for individuals to pursue their interests.
Substantive shifts in socioeconomic, demographic, and lifestyle patterns are thought to be responsible for this trend (1).
There were also discussions about whether to try to counter the leave campaign's immigration message, but it was agreed a substantive policy shift would be needed to stray from economic risk.
